Have you or someone you love suffered a severe, life-altering injury in Columbus, GA? If you believe someone else caused your accident, you may be entitled to money to cover your lost wages, medical bills, reduced quality of life, and more. A Columbus catastrophic injury attorney can help you protect your legal rights and pursue the at-fault party for the compensation you need.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm was founded eight years ago to provide superior service to injury victims in the Columbus area. We are ready to assist you through every step of your case and help you secure the financial resources you need to rebuild your life in Columbus, Georgia. Contact us today at (706) 940-4030 for a free consultation with a Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer to discuss what we can do for you.
How Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help You After a Catastrophic Injury In Columbus
A catastrophic injury affects every area of your life. As you struggle to adjust to overwhelming changes and the new trajectory of your life, you deserve an advocate who will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you are counting on.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm has recovered tens of millions for clients over the last eight years. We give you the personal attention and vigorous legal representation you need. With 26 years of experience, founding attorney Mark Casto has earned recognition from peers, including the Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rating.
Here’s how our Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Investigate your accident to identify liable parties and determine causation
- Gather and analyze evidence to prove negligence and your damages
- Work closely with financial and medical experts to quantify and prove your losses
- Negotiate with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement offer
- Proceed to court and present your case to a jury if a fair agreement can’t be reached
- Provide legal advice and compassionate guidance at every step
- Fight back against attempts to blame you or undervalue your claim
Don’t face this battle alone. Contact our office in Columbus, Georgia, for a free consultation with a Columbus catastrophic injury attorney ready to fight for maximum compensation.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that results in permanent or long-term disability. These injuries affect virtually every aspect of life, including your ability to work, perform daily activities, participate in hobbies, or enjoy life as you once did.
Catastrophic injuries typically result in extensive and possibly lifelong medical needs and lengthy rehabilitation.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Any type of injury can be considered catastrophic if it causes long-term impairment or disability.
Common types of severe injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Quadriplegia and tetraplegia
- Traumatic amputation
- Severe burns
- Crush injuries
- Organ damage
- Vision loss
- Nerve damage
- Complex fractures
Every year, there are 83,000 traumatic amputations alone in the United States. About 288,000 people are hospitalized for brain injuries per year, and 85,000 are left disabled. There are also 20,000 major burns and almost 18,000 spinal cord injuries every year.
About 15% of the U.S. population is living with a disability, and many of them are the result of a traumatic accident. Nearly one in 60 people in the U.S. are living with a disability caused by a brain injury alone.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm represents clients who have suffered all forms of catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries In Columbus, GA?
Catastrophic injuries are often caused by preventable accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents, such as car accidents and pedestrian accidents, are the leading causes of most severe injuries. Crashes cause 17% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and 39% of spinal cord injuries (SCIs). They are the leading cause of TBI in people under 75 and the leading cause of SCI in people under 45.
After crashes, falls are the top cause of TBI and SCI. Older adults are at the greatest risk of suffering a severe injury in a slip and fall accident. Three out of four SCIs in seniors occur in a fall. These accidents are responsible for 95% of hip fractures, which are often catastrophic for older adults.
For adults of working age, life-changing fall injuries often happen in workplace accidents. Certain industries have an increased risk of serious falls and accidents involving falling objects, heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and other workplace dangers.
The most dangerous jobs include:
- Construction workers
- Warehouse workers
- Emergency responders
- Warehouse workers
- Freight truck drivers and other professional drivers
- Agricultural workers
- Loggers
- Professional athletes
Brain injury, occupational illness, vision and hearing loss, crushing injuries, and amputation are serious risks in many of these jobs. According to the BLS, there were 6,200 work-related amputations in 2018. About 58% of these injuries involved machinery.
While professional athletes face one of the most dangerous jobs for brain injuries, amateur and high school athletes are also at an increased risk. Recreational activities and sports are responsible for 10% of TBIs and 8% of all SCIs. Football, boxing, and other contact sports have the highest risk of brain injury. Diving alone is the fourth leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the U.S.
Sadly, some life-altering injuries are caused by medical errors, not traditional accidents. Surgical and medical complications are believed to cause almost 4% of SCIs. Medical malpractice can also cause organ damage, nerve damage, and other injuries.
Violence is another leading cause of catastrophic injuries. Assault, domestic violence, and other forms of violence cause about 13% of spinal cord injuries. Violence is one of the top causes of fatal TBI.
What Is My Columbus Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
While all personal injury cases are unique, catastrophic injury cases are particularly complex. There are dozens of factors that may influence what your case is worth.
To estimate the value of your case, a personal injury lawyer may consider:
- The types of injuries you sustained
- How your daily life, quality of life, independence, and health are affected
- Your age at the time of your accident
- The strength of evidence available to prove liability
- Whether you can return to any type of work or your job
- The circumstances of the accident
- The defendant’s behavior
- Whether you share any fault
- The availability of insurance coverage to pay for your damages
These cases usually require testimony from medical, occupational, and economic experts. It’s common for cases involving severe injuries to be worth more than $1 million, especially when the victim is young and unable to work afterward. Tetraplegia, for example, has an average lifetime cost of $3.77 to $5.16 million for a 25-year-old. This figure only considers living expenses and health care.
What Types of Damages Can Catastrophic Injury Victims Recover In Columbus, Georgia?
Georgia law allows catastrophic injury victims to recover compensatory damages from the at-fault party. These damages are intended to make you as whole as possible and compensate you for the many losses you have suffered.
Compensatory damages come in two forms. Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value. Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses like pain and suffering.
Catastrophic accident victims may be entitled to damages for:
- Medical expenses (current and projected future costs)
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and psychological therapy
- Lost earnings
- Diminished or lost earning potential (including benefits of employment)
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses such as assistive devices, home modifications, and supportive services
- Physical pain
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Disfigurement
A spouse may have the right to recover damages through a separate loss of consortium claim. This type of claim seeks compensation for the loss of love, affection, intimacy, companionship, and services when a spouse suffers a serious injury.
Punitive damages, unlike compensatory damages, punish a defendant for wrongdoing or egregious conduct. These damages may be available in rare instances if your case goes to court.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I’m Partially To Blame for My Accident In Georgia?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Each party in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions and a corresponding share of liability.
If you are less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, but your recovery will be reduced according to the percentage of liability you are assigned. If you are found 50% or more to blame for your accident, you cannot recover any money from the other party.
If you are being blamed for your accident, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal counsel right away.
How Long Do I Have To File A Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit In Georgia?
Georgia law gives personal injury victims a two-year deadline to file a lawsuit seeking damages. This statute of limitations has few exceptions.
The longer you wait to take action, the harder it may be to document your losses and prove liability.
Contact A Columbus Catastrophic Injury Lawyer For A Free Consultation
Have you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in Columbus, GA? If someone else’s negligence or willful behavior was the cause, you may be entitled to compensation. Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to help you pursue the money you need to secure your financial future.
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer.
